COLUMBUS, Ohio — Any worries about Michigan State looking lethargic this afternoon at Ohio State, following Tuesday’s gut-kicking defeat from Indiana, have been put to bed by Adreian Payne, Branden Dawson and Garry Harris.

Payne has 10 first-half rebounds, the sort of effort stat that proves a player is dialed in (though Payne always is against the Buckeyes).

Dawson and Harris have eight points each and the passing from the post and on the drive by MSU has been outstanding.

The Spartans really ought to be ahead more than 31-25. They’ve held Ohio State to 35 percent shooting and the Buckeyes seem willing to jack up 3s (they’re 1-for-11).

Regardless of what happens from here on, MSU has shown it’s recovered from Tuesday, at least to the point it’s not impacting energy or will.

Izzo got outcoached on this one, Matta took that time out right at the beginning of the second half to get on his guys, our guys look lost for the second game in a row. I know they are trying and do care, but I find myself wondering sometimes. In the middle of a 24-5 run how about a timeout Izzo? Also yes the referees were bad, how about a technical? they have been known to fire a team up and go on a run before.

I am only mildly disappointed going into this stretch we needed one win out of three . Now next Sunday is a must win to get that number3 seed in Auburn Hills. We have seven days off. We will take a war to Ann Arbor. Not our night but I am proud of the way we refused to be blown out and cut the lead to two when Harris made it 61-59 that showed me in Ann Arbor this team will set foor to arse.

About this blog

Graham Couch@Graham_CouchBorn and bred in Lansing, Graham Couch returned to his hometown in September to be the LSJ's sports columnist. He's covered Michigan State since January, after nearly a decade covering Western Michigan University and the Freeport (Ill.) Pretzels.